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TOPIC: PIP claim and evidence

Thank you. I am really concerned because I have really difficult problems that makes a normal life impossible. I was badly let down by the NHS with an operation 16 yeas ago that caused, but they denied, me problems (this operation was, unbeknown to me at the time, being abandoned by most surgeons and is now obsolete due to the problems it caused people). I developed a doctor/ hospital phobia as a result of this and have not seen any medical person face to face for many years. So I really worry about my lack of current evidence. To be honest I am procrastinating over this PIP claim because of the medical assessment, I am not sure I can even cope with a home PIP assessment. So if I get my medical notes and I find evidence over ten years old that seems good evidence regarding any of my problems, do you think that too old?

Thank you. I am really concerned because I have really difficult problems that makes a normal life impossible. I was badly let down by the NHS with an operation 16 yeas ago that caused, but they denied, me problems (this operation was, unbeknown to me at the time, being abandoned by most surgeons and is now obsolete due to the problems it caused people). I developed a doctor/ hospital phobia as a result of this and have not seen any medical person face to face for many years. So I really worry about my lack of current evidence. To be honest I am procrastinating over this PIP claim because of the medical assessment, I am not sure I can even cope with a home PIP assessment. So if I get my medical notes and I find evidence over ten years old that seems good evidence regarding any of my problems, do you think that too old?

The main issue with old evidence is showing it's relevance to your problems today.

If you have a condition the is permanent or is one likely to deteriorate, then old evidence puts a stake in the ground as to how you were and allows you to build a picture of how you are now.

If the conditions are undiagnosed or ill defined then evidence from so long ago will carry little weight and may in fact cause problems by high lighting the lack of current evidence.

This doesn't mean that a PIP claim cannot be successful, but it will make it more difficult and you will need to be as detailed as possible on the form when you explain your limitations for each activity.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

So, I can just write an outline of the history without adding medical notes but make sure I am really thorough and detailed with how I struggle currently. So you think probably better for me not to write about the x-ray at all? . Should I provide evidence to prove my outline of the history true such as medical notes saying operation undertaken

So, I can just write an outline of the history without adding medical notes but make sure I am really thorough and detailed with how I struggle currently. So you think probably better for me not to write about the x-ray at all? . Should I provide evidence to prove my outline of the history true such as medical notes saying operation undertaken

Yes that would be a good idea.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

I feel a bit like I am fighting a losing battle because also I for a long time now I have been convinced that I was misdiagnosed with one condition. The condition which I think I should have been diagnosed with is one that would never go away which is probably the reason I still have the condition! But I cannot exactly explain all this on the form...............

Hi me again!
Right, I have now had an initial/provisional assessment by a mental health nurse and a letter is on its way so this will be evidence for a PIP claim. However , in about a month or so I will be being assessed by a psychologist so at some point, maybe 6 weeks plus, I will have even better evidence. Bearing in mind how very difficult I will find a face to face assessment, even a home one, I am thinking of waiting for both lots of evidence before I proceed with a claim. It is a question of - do I start a claim based on the nurse's evidence or should I wait for the psychologist's assessment?